Module 2: Hydrostatics

 Hydrostatic pressure and devices: 2 lectures

 Forces on surfaces: 2.5 lectures

 Buoyancy, Archimedes, stability: 1.5 lectures

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Lectures 1-2: Hydrostatic pressure

 Should be able to:

 Use common pressure terminology

 Derive the general form for the pressure distribution in static fluid

 Calculate the pressure within a constant density fluids

 Calculate forces in a hydraulic press

 Analyze manometers and barometers

 Calculate pressure distribution in varying density fluid

 Calculate pressure in fluids in rigid body motion in non-inertial

frames of reference

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Pressure

 Pressure is defined as a normal force exerted by a

fluid per unit area
 SI Unit of pressure is N/m2, called a pascal (Pa).
 Since the unit Pa is too small for many pressures
encountered in engineering practice, kilopascal (1
kPa = 103 Pa) and mega-pascal (1 MPa = 106 Pa)
are commonly used
 Other units include bar, atm, kgf/cm2, lbf/in2=psi
 1 psi = 6.695 x 103 Pa
 1 atm = 101.325 kPa = 14.696 psi
 1 bar = 100 kPa (close to atmospheric pressure)

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 Absolute, gage, and vacuum pressures

 Actual pressure at a give point is

called the absolute pressure
 Most pressure-measuring devices
are calibrated to read zero in the
atmosphere.
 Pressure above atmospheric is
called gage pressure:
Pgage=Pabs - Patm
 Pressure below atmospheric
pressure is called vacuum
pressure:
Pvac=Patm - Pabs.

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Pressure at a Point

 Pressure at any point in a fluid is the same in all directions

 Pressure has a magnitude, but not a specific direction, and
thus it is a scalar quantity
 Later we will talk about the stress tensor:
 Used to define the stress vector (traction) across any surface
 Pressure is (minus) the mean normal stress
σ xx σ xy σ xz  − p 0 0  τ xx τ xy τ xz 
   
σ ij = σ yx σ yy σ yz  =  0 − p 0  + τ yx τ yy τ yz  = − pδ ij + τ ij
σ zx σ zy σ zz   0
  0 − p  τ zx τ zy τ zz 

 1st index = direction of unit normal, 2nd index = direction of force

 In a fluid at rest the shear stresses are zero

 Pressure is the part of the stress that remains
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 Trapezoidal paradox: fluids & solids?

 Is the pressure at
the bottom larger
h in A or B?
 If material is solid?

 If material is liquid?

W W

 Paradox was resolved by Blaise Pascal

 Shown is a Pascal vase from Yale University
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Pascal - 1623–1662

 Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician,

physicist, and religious philosopher. He was a
child prodigy who was educated by his father.
 Pascal's earliest work was in the natural and
applied sciences where he made important
contributions to the construction of mechanical
calculators, the study of fluids, and clarified the
concepts of pressure and vacuum by generalizing
the work of Evangelista Torricelli. Pascal also
wrote powerfully in defense of the scientific
method.
 Inventions include the hydraulic press (using
hydraulic pressure to multiply force) and syringe.
 Following a mystical experience in late 1654, he
abandoned his scientific work and devoted
himself to philosophy and theology. His two most
famous works date from this period: the Lettres
provinciales and the Pensées. However, he had
suffered from ill-health throughout his life and his
new interests were ended by his early death two
months after his 39th birthday.
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Variation of Pressure with Depth

 In the presence of a gravitational field, pressure

increases with depth because more fluid rests
on deeper layers.

 To obtain a relation for the variation of pressure

with depth, consider rectangular element
 Force balance in z-direction gives

∑=
F z =
ma z 0
P2 ∆x − P1∆x − ρ g ∆x∆z =0
 Dividing by ∆x and rearranging gives

∆P = P2 − P1 = ρ g ∆z = γ s ∆z
 We can also write this in differential form, dividing by ∆z:
∂P
= ρg = γ s or more generally, ∇P = ρge g = γ s e g
∂z

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Scuba Diving and Hydrostatic Pressure

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Example 1:
1
a) Compute the pressure on a
scuba diver at 100 ft.

b) What is the danger of the diver 100 ft

ascending too quickly?

1 1 = PV
PV 2 2
If you hold your breath on ascent, your lung
volume would increase by a factor of 4, which V1 P2 3.95atm
= = ≈4
would result in embolism and/or death. V2 P1 1atm
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Example 2:
The glass flask is filled with water as shown.
The column has inner diameter 3mm and the
bulb of the flask has burst pressure of 3kPa.

Is it safe to add 1ml to the flask?

Column

8cm

10cm Bulb

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Variation of Pressure with Depth
 Pressure in a fluid at rest is independent of
the shape of the container
 See the Trapezoid paradox

 Pressure is the same at all points on a

horizontal plane in a given fluid.
 Consider force balance in x-direction

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Pascal’s Law

 Pressure applied to a confined

fluid increases the pressure
throughout by the same amount.

 If the pistons are at same height:

F1 F2 F2 A2
P1 = P2 → = → =
A1 A2 F1 A1
 Pascal observed: a small force
could generate a large force

 Ratio A2/A1 is called ideal

mechanical advantage
Example 3: Hydraulic lift
What is the height h of oil required in
the narrow tube to lift the load in the
large tube? (ρoil = 900 kg/m3)

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Fluids in the news:

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Review: hydrostatic pressure basics

 From last lecture:

 General equation of hydrostatics: ∇P = ρge g = γs e g
• Usually we align z with eg:
∂P
= ρg = γs
∂z
 Constant density (and gravity): ∆P = P2 − P1 = ρg∆z = γs ∆z
z2
 Variable density: ∆P = ∫ ρg dz
z1

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The Manometer

 An elevation change of ∆z
in constant density fluid at
rest corresponds to ∆P/ρg
 A device to measure
pressure based on this is
called a manometer
 A manometer consists of a
U-tube containing one or
more fluids, e.g. mercury,
water, alcohol, oil
 Heavy fluids such as
mercury are used if large
P1 = P2 pressure differences are
anticipated
P2 Patm + ρ gh
=  Pressure range limited by
height and fluid density

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Measuring Pressure Drops

 Manometers are well suited

to measure pressure drops
across valves, pipes, heat
exchangers, etc.
 Relation for pressure drop
P1-P2 is obtained by starting
at point 1 and adding or
subtracting ρgh terms until
we reach point 2.
 If fluid in pipe is a gas, then
ρ2>>ρ1 and
P1-P2= ρgh

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Multi-fluid Manometer

 For multi-fluid systems

 Pressure change across a fluid
column of height h is ∆P = ρgh
 Pressure increases downward,
and decreases upward.

 Multi-fluid manometer
 Two points at the same elevation in a
continuous fluid are at same pressure.
 Pressure can be determined by adding
and subtracting ρgh terms.

P2 + ρ1 gh1 + ρ 2 gh2 + ρ3 gh3 =

P1

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Example 1:
Calculate the air pressure in the pressurized tank,
if h1 = 0.18 m, h2 = 0.2m and h3 = 0.25m. The
density of the mercury, water and oil are 13,600
kg/m3,1000 kg/m3 and 850 kg/m3, respectively.

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The Barometer

 Atmospheric pressure is
measured by a device called a
barometer; thus, atmospheric
pressure is often referred to as
the barometric pressure.
 PC can be taken to be zero since
there is only Hg vapor above
point C, and it is very low
relative to Patm.
 Change in atmospheric
pressure due to elevation has
many effects: Cooking, nose
bleeds, engine performance,
aircraft performance.

PC + ρ gh =
Patm
Patm = ρ gh
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Static pressure in the atmosphere?

 Throughout atmosphere density varies significantly.

 How does the pressure vary?

 Assume Ideal gas:

dP P 2dP P2 g 2dz
= −ρ g = − g or ∫ = ln =− ∫
dz RT 1 P P1 R1 T

 For an isothermal atmosphere with T = To?

 g(z 2 − z1 )
P2 = P1 exp  − 
 R To 

 How realistic is constant temperature?

 How realistic is constant gravitational acceleration?

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Example 2:

Up to an altitude of approximately 36,000ft (l l,000 m), the mean atmospheric

temperature decreases nearly linearly and can be represented by: T = To - B z,
where B is the lapse rate. The following values are assumed to apply for air, from
sea level to 36,000 ft: To = 288.16˚K (15 ˚C); B = 6.5˚K/km; R = 287 m2/(s2 ˚K)

Calculate atmospheric pressure as a function of z.

g /(RB )
 Bz g
P = Pa  1 −  where = 5.26 ( for air )
 To  RB

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Example 3:

Determine the pressure and density as a function of depth for a fluid in which P=Cρn

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Accelerating fluids in rigid-body motion

 In rigid body motion there is no shearing in the fluid

 Pressure is again only component of the stress
 There are 2 special cases where a body of fluid can
undergo rigid-body motion:
 linear acceleration, and
 rotation of a cylindrical container.

 Newton's 2nd law of motion can be used to derive an

equation of motion for a fluid that acts as a rigid body
∇P = ρge g − ρa
 In Cartesian coordinates:
∂P ∂P ∂P
− ρ ax ,
= −ρ ay ,
= − ρ ( g + ax )
=
∂x ∂y ∂z
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Example 4: Linear Acceleration

The truck, length 12m is 1/4 full with milk.

It accelerates at constant 1m/s2.

How much higher is the level of milk at the

back of the tanker than at the front?

ax ≠ 0, a y =az =0
∂P ∂P ∂P
= ρ ax , = 0, = −ρ g
∂x ∂y ∂z
− ρ ax dx − ρ gdz
Total differential of P dP =

P2 − P1 =− ρ ax ( x2 − x1 ) − ρ g ( z2 − z1 )
Pressure difference between 2 points
ax
∆zs =zs 2 − zs1 =− ( x2 − x1 )
g
Find the rise by selecting 2 points on free
surface P2 = P1
Rotation in a Cylindrical Container

The container is rotating about the z-axis with

constant angular velocity ω.
Derive an equation for the free surface z=h(r)

− rω 2 , aθ =
ar = az =
0
Total differential of P ∂P ∂P ∂P
= ρ rω 2 , = 0, = −ρ g
∂r ∂θ ∂z
=dP ρ rω 2 dr − ρ gdz

dzisobar rω 2 ω2 2
= → zisobar = r + C1
dr g 2g
On an isobar, dP = 0
ω2
zs =
h0 −
4g
( R 2
− 2r 2 )

Equation of the free surface

What we covered

 Pressure as part of the stress tensor – the mean normal stress, isotropic
 General equations for hydrostatics:
∆P = P2 − P1 = ρ g ∆z = γ s ∆z
∂P
= ρg = γ s or more generally, ∇P = ρge g = γ s e g
∂z
 Mechanical advantage using Pascals Law
F1 F2 F2 A2
P1 = P2 → = → =
A1 A2 F1 A1

 E.g. hydraulic lifts for auto repair, large elevators

 Used manometers and barometers to measure pressure
 Calculated pressure in a variable density fluids and applied it the
atmosphere
 Calculated pressure in a non-inertial frame of reference, for fluids in rigid
motion
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Fluids in the news:

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Lectures 3-4: Forces on surfaces

 Should be able to:

 Calculate force & moment on a submerged planar surface

 Understand centre of pressure

 Understand how to use table of planar sections

 Apply planar surface techniques to computing forces and

moments on curved surfaces

 Understand how the pressure force and the weight act on

submerged objects

 Derive the buoyancy relationship and ‘Archimedes Principle’

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Motivation: structures like Hoover dam

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Oct. 4, 2010 - Kolontár, Hungary

 Bauxite tailings dam failed

 700,000 m3 caustic red

mud

 Several towns flooded, 10

people killed, approx. 120
people injured, 8 square
kilometres flooded
Basic dam structure
 1-2 similar tailings dam
disasters each year
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The force the pressure exerts on a surface?

 In static fluid, stress tensor is isotropic:

− p 0 0
σ ij =  0 − p 0
contains only p
 No shear forces
 From definition of stress tensor, the force per
 0 0 − p 
unit area exerted on a fluid across a surface
with outward normal n is n.σ = Σi=1,3σij ni

 Fluid exerts opposite force on walls:

 Determines magnitude and direction of F
 To determine point of action, we calculate F = − ∫ n ⋅ σ dA = ∫ pn dA
moment exerted by pressure A A

 Similar to calculating static force balances in

solid mechanics: the pressure is simply a
distributed force
Hydrostatic Forces on Plane Surfaces

 On a plane surface, the

hydrostatic forces form a
system of parallel forces
 For many problems the
magnitude of surface
forces and location of the
point of application of the
surface forces must be
determined.
 This location is called the
center of pressure.
 Atmospheric pressure Patm
can be neglected when it
acts on both sides of the
surface.
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 Force on Submerged Plane, A

 Consider a plane panel, A, completely submerged in fluid

 Force of magnitude F acts normal to A.

 Global coordinates (η,ξ)

 Find centroid of A: (ηCG,ξCG)

 Compute magnitude F
F = ∫ p dA
A
 Computation of force magnitude

F = ∫ p dA = ∫ pa + ρgξ sin θ dA
A A

= pa ∫ dA + ρg sin θ ∫ ξ dA
A A

 
 ∫A 
ξ dA
=  pa + ρg sin θ  ∫ dA


∫
A
dA  A

= [ pa + ρgξ CG sin θ ]∫ dA
Magnitude of force is A
given by Area x Pressure
= pCG ∫ dA
evaluated at the centroid
A

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Where does force act?

 Compute moments of force about

the centroid

 Define local coordinates:

(x,y) = (ηCG -η,ξCG -ξ)

 Point of action CP defined by:

FxCP = ∫ p xdA
A

FyCP = ∫ p ydA
A

 CP = centre of pressure
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Location of centre of pressure
yCP F = ∫ pydA = ∫ ( pa + ρgξ sin θ ) ydA
A A

= ∫ ( pa + ρg [ξ CG − y ]sin θ ) ydA = pCG ∫ ydA − ρg sin θ ∫ y 2 dA

A A A

∫ dA
2
y
ρg sin θ I xx ,CG
yCP = − A
=−
pCG ∫ dA [ξCG + ( pa / ρg sin θ )]∫ dA
A A

xCP F = ∫ pxdA = ∫ ( pa + ρgξ sin θ )xdA

A A

= ∫ ( pa + ρg [ξ CG − y ]sin θ )xdA = pCG ∫ xdA − ρg sin θ ∫ xydA

A A A

ρg sin θ ∫ xydA
I xy ,CG
xCP = − A
=−
pCG ∫ dA [ξCG + ( pa / ρg sin θ )]∫ dA
A A
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Summary: forces on planar surfaces

 Force acts through centre of

pressure (CP)

 In general CP lies under CG

 If we neglect: pa << ρgξcgsinθ

I xy ,CG I xx ,CG
xCP = − yCP = −
ξ CG ∫ dA ξ CG ∫ dA
A A

 Recall Ixx,CG & Ixy,CG are the

moments of inertia about CG

 These are tabulated for common

shapes
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Centroid and moments of inertia for some
common shapes

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Example 1:
An above ground swimming pool is filled
with water. Calculate the hydrostatic force
on each wall and the line of action of the
force. What is the effect of doubling the
wall height on the static forces?

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Considerations in building dams

 Hydrostatic forces tend to cause a

dam to: Toe

 Slide horizontally
 Overturn about the toe
Sliding resistance
 Safety factor against sliding: =
Sliding force

Total resisting moment

 Safety factor against overturning: =
Total overturnin g moment

 Pressure intensity at toe

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Example 2: Dam
2m
A concrete dam retaining 6m of water is as
shown. The unit weight of the concrete is
23.5kN/m3 and the ground is impermeable.
7m
Calculate: a) the safety factor against sliding; 6m
b) the safety factor against overturning.

4m

Question 3.20 in Schaum

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Example 3:
Pa
Water is held back in the tank as illustrated, by a
1.5m gate AB, that is 1.2m wide and has weight 20 kN.
Pa
A Calculate the vertical force that must be applied to
1.5m
B
the centre of gravity of the gate to keep it in
45°
equilibrium if: a) the gate is hinged at A; b) the gate
is hinged at B.

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Curved surfaces and Archimedes principle

 Recall from planar surface theory:

 Force exerted by fluid F = − ∫ n ⋅ σ dA = ∫ pn dA

A A

 Acts through centre of pressure (CP)

FxCP = ∫ p xdA
A

FyCP = ∫ p ydA
A

 Can we use these to solve problems with curved

surfaces?

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 Hydrostatic Forces on Curved Surfaces

Fz

 FR on a curved surface requires integration of the pressure forces that

change direction along the surface.
F = − ∫ n ⋅ σ dA = ∫ pn dA = (FH , FV )
A A
 Determine horizontal and vertical components FH and FV separately.
 Exploit mechanical equilibrium to evaluate these more simply
Horizontal Component FH

 Project curved surface onto vertical plane

 Balance horizontal forces
FH = −
AAC
∫ pn x dA = Fx
Surface ABC
AAC
Fx = ∫ p( x = x
ABC
C , y, z ) dA = pCG ABC
x=xC
pCG = pressure at centroid of ABC; |ABC| = area of ABC
 Repeat to find depth zCP of location where FH acts
(zCP − zCG )FH =− ∫ (z − z ) pn CG x dA = ∫ (z − z ) p dA
CG
AAC ABC

= ∫ (z − z )( p
ABC
CG CG − ρg (z − zCG )) dA = − ρgI xx ,CG

ρgI xx ,CG
(zCP − zCG ) = − i.e. depth of center of pressure of ABC
pCG ABC
Vertical Component FV

 Project AAC onto horizontal plane AAB

Surface AAB
 Balance vertical forces z=zA

∫ pnz dA = Fz + ρgV
Volume V
FV = − h(x,y)
AAC
Surface ABC

) dA = p( z = z A ) AAB
AAC
Fz = ∫ p ( x, y , z = z
AAB
A

x=xC
Horizontal location where FV acts:
xCP FV = − ∫ xpnz dA =
AAC
∫ x( p(x, y, z = z ) + ρgh(x, y )) dA
AAB
A

= p (z = z A )xCG , AAB AAB + ρgVxCG ,V

p (z = z A )xCG , AAB AAB + ρgVxCG ,V
xCP =
p(z = z A ) AAB + ρgV
i.e. weighted average of x-coordinates of centroids of AAB and V
Adding centroids

 Remember that in general: Vx cg = ∫ xdv

V

 But this is just an integral

 So we can add centroids for different volumes...

Vx cg = V x cg + V x cg + ...
1 2 2
1

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Example 1:
Compute the vertical component FV p=Patm A C
of the force exerted on the curved •
•
surface and find the horizontal c.g.
location where FV acts

F
v
b B
•

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Example 2:
A
C - Hinge
a) Determine and locate the components of 6m
the force (per meter length) due to the
water acting on the curved surface AB. B
b) Calculate the net moment about the hinge
at C. What do you observe?

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Summary: Forces on Curved Surfaces

 Horizontal force component on Fz

curved surface: FH=Fx.
 Line of action on vertical plane gives z
coordinate of center of pressure on
curved surface.
 Vertical force component on
curved surface: FV=Fz+W
 W is the weight of the liquid in the
enclosed block W=ρgV.
 The x coordinate of the center of
pressure is a combination of line of
action on the horizontal plane (centroid
of area) and line of action through
volume (centroid of volume).
 Magnitude of force:
FR=(FH2+FV2)1/2
 Angle of force: α = tan-1(FV /FH )

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What we learned

 Planar surfaces:
 Learnt about centre of pressure and how to calculate forces and
moments exerted by the fluid on plane surfaces
 Learnt about safety factors for dams

 Curved surfaces/shapes: easiest is to break net force

into horizontal and vertical forces:
 Horizontal forces
• Project onto vertical plane and calculate as planar surface
 Vertical forces
• Project onto horizontal plane
• Equal to weight of fluid enclosed plus vertical force through plane
• Calculate x-location of action from x-location of centroids
 Recall that we can add centroids
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Lectures 5-6: Buoyancy

 Buoyancy is due to the fluid displaced by a body.

FB=ρf gV

 Archimedes principal:

The buoyant force acting on a body immersed in a

fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the
body and it acts upward through the centroid of the
displaced volume.

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Buoyancy – Archimedes principle

 Buoyancy force FB is equal

only to the displaced volume
ρf gVdisplaced.
 Three scenarios possible
1. ρbody<ρfluid: Floating body
2. ρbody=ρfluid: Neutrally buoyant
3. ρbody>ρfluid: Sinking body
 Vertical forces on a cube?

 Submerged in water  Floating in water

h h H

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Forces on curved surfaces revisited

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Archimedes 287 BC – 212 BC

 Archimedes was a mathematician,

physicist, engineer, astronomer, and
philosopher, born in what is now Sicily.
 Among his advances in physics are the
foundations of hydrostatics and the
explanation of the principle of the lever.
His early use of calculus included the first
known summation of an infinite series with
a method that is still used today. He is
also credited with designing
innovative machines, including weapons
and the screw pump that bears his name.
He is best known for allegedly exclaiming
"Eureka!" after discovering what is known
today as Archimedes' principle.
 Archimedes also shaped the fields of
physics and practical engineering, and
has been called "The greatest scientist
ever”
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 Example: Floating Drydock

Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Resolute Submarine undergoing repair work on

(AFDM-10) partially submerged board the AFDM-10

Using buoyancy, a submarine with a displacement of 6,000 tons can be lifted!

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 Submarine Buoyancy and Ballast

 Submarines use both static and dynamic depth control.

Static control uses ballast tanks between the pressure hull
and the outer hull. Dynamic control uses the bow and
stern planes to generate trim forces.
Example
An elastic air balloon of diameter D is submerged in
water and attached to the bottom of a tank by a cable.
Determine the change in tension force in the cable
when the tank pressure is increased from 100kPa to
200kPa, if the balloon diameter decreases according
to: P = CD-2

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Fluids in the news:

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Golden Crown of Hiero II, King of Syracuse

 Hiero, 306-215 B.C.

 Hiero learned of a rumor where

the goldsmith replaced some of
the gold in his crown with silver.
Hiero asked Archimedes to
determine whether the crown
was pure gold.

 Archimedes had to develop a

nondestructive testing method
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Golden Crown of Hiero II, King of Syracuse

 The weight of the crown and nugget

are the same in air:
Wc = ρcVc = Wn = ρnVn.

If the crown is pure gold, ρc = ρn which
means that the volumes must be the
same:
Vc=Vn.

 In water, the buoyancy force is

Β=ρH2OV.

 If the scale becomes unbalanced, this

implies that the Vc ≠ Vn, which in turn
means that the ρc ≠ ρn
 Goldsmith was shown to be a fraud!
Stability of floating objects

 Last lecture we considered Archimedes principle

 This implies a form of stability in the vertical plane

 Apply this to a floating body

• Move body up, reduce Vdisplaced, reduce FB, accelerate downwards

• Move body down, increase Vdisplaced, increase FB, accelerate upwards

 After this lecture you should be able to:

 Analyze rotational stability of floating objects

 But, only objects that are axisymmetric are considered, e.g. the
hull of a long boat

Mech 280: Frigaard

 Rotational stability of Immersed bodies

 Intuitively, rotational stability of immersed bodies depends upon

relative location of center of gravity G and center of buoyancy B
(centroid of displaced volume)
 W acts through G

 FB acts through B

Mech 280: Frigaard

 Stability of Symmetric Floating Bodies

MG >0: stable  If body is bottom heavy (G lower

MG <0: unstable
MG =0: neutrally stable than B), it is always stable

 Floating bodies can be stable

when G is higher than B due to
shift in location of center buoyancy
and creation of restoring moment.

 Metacentre M is where the line of

Notes: action through B, before and after
 M changes with rotation, so a body can
rotation intersect
be conditionally stable depending on
degree of rotation  A measure of stability is the
 For many practical hulls used, M is not
very sensitive for rotations < 20° metacentric height MG
The Vasa

Vasa from the port side

Career

Laid down: 1626

Launched: 1628
Sunk on her
Fate:
maiden voyage.
General Characteristics
Displacement: 1210 metric ton
Toal Length: 69 m
Beam: 11.7 m
Draft: 4.8 m
Height, keel to
52.5 m
mast:
Propulsion: 10 Sails, 3 Masts
Sail area: 1,275 m2
Armament: 64 guns
Sailors: 145
Soldiers: 300

Mech 280: Frigaard

Vasa - The Story

 Regalskeppet Vasa (also Wasa) is a Swedish 64-gun ship of the line built
for King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden of the House of Vasa, between
1626 and 1628.
 The ship's construction was plagued by interference from the King.
 Shortly after the keel had been laid the king insisted that it be lengthened
significantly.
 The master shipwright who had been overseeing the construction became ill and
died leaving his inexperienced apprentice in charge of construction.
 The king then insisted on the addition of a second gun deck.
 The resulting vessel was the best equipped and most heavily armed
warship of its day, but one that was too long and tall for its width.
 The standard stability test of the day
 was thirty sailors running from side to side trying to rock the boat. When this was
attempted on Vasa, the ship tilted significantly and the test was canceled. As
none dared inform the king, the ship readied for sea.
 On August 10 1628 Vasa set sail on her maiden voyage to the harbor of
Stockholm. In the harbor a gust of wind forced the ship on her portside,
after which water started flowing in through her open gun ports, and she
soon sank, killing about 50 sailors.
 The ship can be seen in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.

Mech 280: Frigaard

 FB = ρ gVd
I0
=
MG − GB
Vsub

Where,
Vsub = the volume submerged,
I0 = is the moment of inertia of the area of intersection of the water line and
floating body, i.e.,

I0 = ∫
Awaterline
x 2 dA

Note: Stability of non symmetric bodies is much tougher…

Mech 280: Frigaard
Derivation ?

Mech 280: Frigaard

Mech 280: Frigaard
Example
A barge has uniform rectangular cross
section of width 2L and vertical draft of
height H, as illustrated. Determine:
a) the metacentric height for a small tilt
angle;
b) the range of ratios L/H for which the
barge is statically stable if G is exactly
at the waterline

Mech 280: Frigaard

What we learned: buoyancy & stability

 Buoyancy:
 Studied how the pressure force and weight act on submerged objects
 Derived the buoyancy relationship and ‘Archimedes Principle’

 A body is
 Stable if MG > 0
I0
 Unstable if MG < 0 =
MG − GB
Vsub
 Meta Stable if MG = 0;

 MG is the meta-centric height

 I0 is the area moment of inertia of surface defined by the intersection of the plane
of the fluid with the object.
 G is the centre of gravity of the floating object
 B is the centroid of the displaced volume
Mech 280: Frigaard